GLASGOW – American sprinter Christian Coleman blazed to victory in the marquee 60m race at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow on Friday, beating out rival Noah Lyles in a battle between the two fastest men over the short sprint.
Coleman exploded out of the blocks and never looked back, gaining over a meter on the field immediately at the gun. He maintained his advantage down the straightaway, holding off a late charge from Lyles to win gold decisively in 6.41 seconds.
Lyles claimed silver in 6.44 seconds, unable to reel in Coleman despite a strong last 40 meters. Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake finished third for bronze in 6.46.
The Coleman-Lyles showdown was highly anticipated coming into the championships, pitting Coleman’s superior start against Lyles’ powerful run.
“These opportunities don’t come around often when you are feeling good and healthy,” Coleman told BBC Sport. “To come out on top is amazing and you never take it for granted, I look forward to the rest of the season.”
But Coleman’s technical brilliance proved too much, with the world record holder in the 60m commanding the race from the very first step.
The 60m victory caps a comeback season for Coleman, who returned from an 18-month suspension last year to reestablish himself as the dominant force in short sprinting.
He’ll look to carry this momentum into the outdoor season and bid for 100m gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I have been working on and focusing on my weaknesses and getting on with it in my own way,” he said. “The main thing was to allow my body to naturally do what I have been coaching it to do.
“I am excited. It is 2024 and I am stepping into my prime mentally, physically and spiritually. I am going to have to be on my A game and I feel confident I will be there [Olympics].”
